Experiences with CNMs

Po · 05-19-2010, 04:32 PM

Has anyone had a hospital birth with a Certified Nurse Midwife? What were your experiences?

RedCatWaves · 05-19-2010, 05:13 PM

While you wouldn't expect medicalized-attitudes towards birth from someone with "midwife" in her title, I don't think you can generalize with CNM's. They range from very pro-medicalized-birth to very pro-natural-birth, and everything in between. Unlike other types of non-nurse midwives, who are usually pro-natural, I've met CNM's who were like little OB-robot-soldiers, toeing the ACOG-party-line more than any OB ever would. You really need to interview the CNM thoroughly and see if her philosophy meshes with yours.

DarkAngel · 05-19-2010, 05:59 PM

I wasn't able to have a midwife do the birth for my oldest as he was a crash c-section. However, all of my prenatal care was provided by a CNM and I believe one was present at my delivery. I know for sure one was there cheerleading me on during labor. I found that mine was very pro-natural birth. Part of that is a function of NM being pro-natural birth in general. I am a very needy patient and she took a lot of time with me and never made me feel rushed. I enjoyed the experience but looking back feel that she may have missed some important things. She is also the one who perforated my uterus so all thoughts of her are clouded.

Delma · 05-19-2010, 09:43 PM

I had a cnm with my first and would'nt recommend them...based on my experience anyway it was very much like a regular ob except for a little more alternative in supplements.

deezee02 · 05-20-2010, 05:15 AM

I love my CNM. I had an OB for my first (A DO delivered him though) and I CNM for my second.
I agree with RCW, even the CNM in my practice varied...the OB at the same practice was actually more of a pro-natural advocate at times than one of the midwifes.

I do want to add the CNM were not as respected at the hospital...my nurse was very pro epidural, and since she was with my more than the CNM on-call had a bigger influence...the CNM were also refered to as "Dr. X's girls" the entire process, which was annoying as hell.

marielle448 · 05-20-2010, 07:42 AM

Yeah it depends but as ACOG tightens up more in response to homebirths and people electing for NCB more and more CNMs are becoming more medwifey.

I had the same CNM for both of my first two births. With my first birth she was with a doc known as the local male midwife. She was very open to many things but still the hospital sucked. The second time around the first OB had retired and she was with a more medical minded OB and much more leaning towards the medical side.

Now depending on your state you might have luck finding a CNM that does homebirths. In our state there are at least 3 that I can remember.

BTW, congratulations on the pregnancy!

geeky · 05-20-2010, 09:13 AM

I had CNMs for both deliveries and had good experiences. First was in an in-hospital birthing center. The mws were good but they had to compromise a lot I think to follow hospital rules. I was pretty lucky that I did not go "past due" :roll and had a very textbook labor and delivery.
My second was a CNM in a small, pro-midwife hospital. I interviewed her and the ob in her practice pretty carefully. She was fantastic. Very low intervention, I heard she actually recommended that some of her clients leave her practice and do homebirths.
I agree it really depends on the individual so you have to select carefully and not be afraid to switch horses midstream of you need to.

PixieCurl · 05-20-2010, 10:32 AM

I used a CNM for Abram's birth at an in-hospital birthing center, and had a great experience. The best way to know is to ask for recommendations from people in your area, and to interview providers.

Sigi · 05-20-2010, 02:09 PM

I've always preferred midwifery care to an OB.

With my first, I had a great midwife. We didn't know until I was 7cm dilated that my baby was breech so I had to have a csection. I had not met the OB who did the csection.

With my 2nd, I had to switch midwives half way through because the one from my first was retiring. Again, I was happy with the midwifery care I received. My VBAC attempt failed, but when I spoke with the OB on rotation at the hospital, he was awesome and completely supportive of my VBAC attempt. Apparently they have a very high VBAC success rate (at least they did in 2004). So my interaction with the OB at this point was positive.

Baby #3, I was passed around between a few midwifes because of vacations, scheduling and what not. But all of them were nice. But I elected to have a scheduled csection this time. So at 32 weeks I had to switch to OB care. I HATED the three I had to deal with. The first one wanted to induce me 3 weeks early because that was what her schedule permitted, and she flat out asked me if I was getting my tubes tied and scowled at me when I said no. So I got passed off to another one when I told her I didn't want to induce 3 weeks early. That guy basically did the same thing with the whole getting my tubes tied and had a chitty attitude with me when I said no. Could not believe it! Last appt before csection and yet another OB due to scheduling conflict and she actually looked nice and seemed nice. Until delivery day when she asked me if I was SURE I didn't want my f'ing tubes tied. GRRRRR!!!!

So in a nutshell, go with a midwife. Those OBs left a very sour taste in my mouth. I knew that I had lots of scar tissue and that my uterus was thin or whatever. I also know that I don't want anymore kids, but that doesn't mean that I can't make my own decisions to ride out the rest of my reproductive years with an IUD or however I choose. I know not all docs are like that, but all the CNMs I saw were so super nice and caring and awesome. And that one doc who encouraged my VBAC was too.

Po · 05-21-2010, 10:40 AM

I have two CNMs who I work with now. Both are super sweet. One's a youngish single mom with four boys (yikes!). She works well with my bf, who is kind of an aSShat. lol The other is an older mom-type.

I'm going to my next appointment with a list of birth questions. I'm a little late asking them now, but I honestly thought CNMs were midwifey until I started reading some horror stories.

And then the other part is that I was admitted to L&D (nothing major at all!) last Sunday and all these emotions came flooding back from my son's birth. I'm scared to deliver in the hospital if my CNMs are not going to be totally on board. And even if they are on board, they still have to follow hospital policy, right?

My bf is cool with switching to a regular midwife and birthing at a center (apartment is way too small for me to feel comfortable with a home birth). I'm going to look into that.

PixieCurl · 05-21-2010, 10:54 AM

If I had a freestanding birth center in my area I would have done that. The birth-center-within-a-hospital where I delivered Abram is the next best thing to homebirth (IMO) in my area.

One thing I'd wonder is, would a non-CNM midwife be covered by insurance? I know in NY if they're licensed they need to be covered but are usually considered out-of-network if they're not a CNM.

Po · 05-21-2010, 11:41 AM

I'm already paying extra for having a CNM! I think that's crazy.

I'm pretty sure the actual birth at the center would be covered, but I may have to pay out-of-pocket for the midwife. At least that's what I've gathered from reading the center's website and my insurance provider's website.

Delma · 05-21-2010, 10:04 PM

if you have to pay out of pocket anyway why not just go with a cpm???